About the Mount Vernon District

Mount Vernon is a special place to live, offering many amenities to its
residents. However, newcomers may not be aware of all our county has to
offer. Take a look at the Newcomer's Guide to
see a comprehensive list of resources and opportunities. Of course,
getting around is important too, so check out Transportation
as well. If you have questions regarding local businesses, the Mount
Vernon - Lee Chamber of Commerce is a great resource as well as the Southeast Fairfax Development
Corporation. Please visit the county's
demographics page for more details about the Mount Vernon District.

Our county
library system offers research and entertainment opportunities beyond
compare. The branches are staffed with intelligent and friendly
librarians and a team of volunteers who assist in day-to-day operations.
We are privileged to have four library branches in the Mount Vernon
District - Sherwood
Regional, Kingstowne,
Lorton,
and Martha
Washington. The library system
website is a robust knowledge base and I encourage you to take a look
at it. The libraries also host many programs, and there is something for
everyone. Take a look at the library
calendar and I'm sure you'll find something of interest.

All Mount Vernon residents are welcome to visit my office in the
Governmental Center at 2511 Parkers Lane, between the Fire Station and
Mount Vernon Hospital. My staff
stands ready to help you navigate the Fairfax County Government and
answer any questions you may have.

On most business days, we have a Notary Public available to assist you
at no charge from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please call 703-780-7518 in
advance to be sure a notary will be available.

Historic Sites in the Mount Vernon District

If you haven't already done so, please be sure to visit the historic
sites in the Mount Vernon District. They include:

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens
Woodlawn Plantation and the Pope-Leighey House
River Farm
Pohick Church
Gunston Hall Plantation

Parks and Recreation

For those with a desire for less structure, there are two Fairfax County Park
Authority recreation centers available for residents. The Mount Vernon
Recreation Center located on Fort Hunt Road and Belle View Boulevard
offers a wide range of exercise programs, ice skating, water aerobics and
swimming. The smaller George Washington
Recreation Center, located next door to the Riverside Elementary
School on Old Mount Vernon Road, offers a variety of water activities,
treadmills and stationary bikes.

If you'd just like to take a walk, try the trail along the Mount Vernon
Parkway early one morning with the Potomac River by your side. The fall
foliage is beautiful, the vistas breathtaking and the sight of egrets,
blue herons and wild ducks will take you away from your daily cares. If
your heart's desire is sailing, you can do this into early fall at the
National Park Service's Belle Haven Marina. For those who like to fish,
the Potomac River is one of the best bass fishing areas on the East
Coast.

Just off the Mount Vernon Parkway is Fort Hunt Park, managed
by the National Park Service. On a warm, summer Sunday evening, many of
our residents gather at the Park to hear concerts sponsored free by the
National Park Service to the public by artists offering a wide range of
music from classical to country-western to Chinese.

In the southern portion of Mount Vernon District, we are fortunate to
have Mason
Neck State Park, which has canoeing, trails, and a picnic area, and
Pohick Regional
Park, which offers opportunities for camping, hiking, boating,
swimming, equestrian trails and golfing. At the Elizabeth
Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge, bird watching is a
common activity, and available to all via the handicap-accessible trail.
The Refuge provides a natural habitat for the American Bald Eagle where
this majestic bird is frequently seen nesting or flying overhead.

Civic Activities

Perhaps you want to try your hand in civic matters? The Mount Vernon
District has almost 200 civic and
homeowners associations. Many of these associations belong to one of
two umbrella groups -- the Mount Vernon Council of Citizens Associations
or the South County Federation. Through their elected officers and board
members, civic associations participate in and influence outcomes on land
use, transportation, school, environmental, and county budgetary issues.
Citizens are urged to take advantage of the Meeting
Rooms available at the Mount Vernon Governmental Center for civic
meetings or for club activities.

One event of significance to residents is the Mount Vernon District
Annual Town Meeting which I have been sponsoring since I took office in
1988. The Annual Town Meeting is customarily held on the last Saturday in
January in the "Little Theatre" at Mount Vernon High
School.

Community Activities

The Mount Vernon Community is one which encourages participation on all
levels. If you have young children, the PTA may be your first avenue of
involvement. Hopefully those youngsters are active and like taking part
in sports. Whether this happens through the schools, scouting, parks,
recreation and community services or on one of the many soccer, baseball,
softball or basketball leagues depends on your joint decision with your
youngster. Our high schools offer a plethora of choices in after school
activities as well. If you interested in programs available for our
senior citizens, please visit or contact one of our Senior Centers.

On the second weekend of June, starting on Friday evening and ending on
Sunday night, Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. hosts the Fairfax Fair. The
fair is a gigantic effort and visitors will be able to enjoy live bands
and children's entertainment, a full carnival, a crafts exhibit and show,
and exhibits and freebies from many county agencies and private
companies. One highlight of the Fairfax Fair is the announcement of the
Lords
and Ladies Fairfax who represent each of the nine Magisterial
Districts in Fairfax County. There is something for everyone in the
family at the Fairfax Fair!

Two special features Mount Vernon has to offer are the Farmer's
Markets - which are a wonderful place to purchase fresh produce,
flowers, plants, herbs, and baked goods provided by local growers:

In closing, I hope my enthusiasm has stimulated you to participate in
your community and its many activities. If you are a newcomer reading
this message, I welcome you wholeheartedly. If you already are a resident
of the Mount Vernon District, I don't have to convince you of the
benefits of living here and hope that you continue to enjoy all the best
that our district offers.